We welcome the chief constable's approach to this particular case, especially as he himself has seen items within that case that have brought grave concerns

Cleveland Police Authority

On the final day of the hearing, Mr Whenary was cleared by a judge who said the police evidence was 'riddled with discrepancies'.

The court heard how one officer could not attend the hearing because he had gone on holiday, while another could not produce his notebook detailing the incident because it had been destroyed in the wash.

A spokesman for Cleveland Police Authority, which has backed Mr Price's decision, said: "We welcome the chief constable's approach to this particular case, especially as he himself has seen items within that case that have brought grave concerns.

"We are delighted we have a forward-thinking chief constable who hides away from nothing."

Mr Whenary's solicitor, Lee Goodchild, of Taylor Goodchild, in Middlesbrough, said: "We are aware that Cleveland Police have approached the IPCC to carry out an investigation as well as the internal investigation by police.

"We will wait and see with interest what findings the IPCC return following its investigation."